Extending from the Orange County line to the outskirts of Charlottesville,
with the Southwest Mountains forming its spine, this 31,000-acre district
includes some of the Piedmont's most pristine and scenic countryside.
Characterized by undulating pastures, winding roadways, forested hills,
and small hamlets, the district contains a broad range of 18th-, 19th-,
and early 20th-century rural architecture, reflecting the evolving cultural
patterns of 260 years of settlement. Althoughknown primarily for historic
estates with fine dwellings such as Castle Hill,
Cobham Park, and Cloverfields, many of

Historic Photograph of a road in the
Southwest Mountains Rural Historic DistrictPhotograph courtesy of Virginia Department of Historic ResourcesArchives

the district's structures are the products of a continuous vernacular
building tradition. Several African-American settlements also lie in
the area. Scattered throughout the district is a remarkable range of
farm buildings including early barns, granaries, corncribs, stables,
and sheds. A strong sense of community pride has enabled preservation
of the district's pastoral character.

The Southwest Mountains Rural Historic District is over 31,000 acres
bordered by 1-64 just before Charlottesville on the south, Rte. 20 on
the west, the Orange county line on the north, and the C & O Railroad
tracks on the east.